IFA is a project partner of TAFISA in the Positive and Safe Coaching Pathway project in 2024. This project and the coaching sessions aim to address the gender inequality that hinders the participation of women and girls in sport at all levels. By focusing on the coaching of female coaches and coaches, the pathway to remove barriers and create a more equitable, accessible, accommodating and positive experience for girls in sport.
The head of the youth commission, Emma Dallinger, and project employee Hanna Einsiedler completed the program. Emma Dallinger organized a workshop for interested young people, athletes and coaches during the U18 World Championships in Chile. Within the framework of the IFA Youth Congress Emma welcomed many participants and could raise awareness for this important topic.
These workshops were primarily aimed at younger coaches aged between 16 and 25 years old in order to appeal to the next generation of Fistball coaches. By focusing on youth development, especially young women, the IFA fosters an environment that promotes inclusion, safety and the active participation of women in Fistball. A total of 90 people took part in the two workshops.
At the 2nd Competition Manager Meeting in Chengdu, the International Fistball Association accredited Sichuan Tianfu New Area YuanYin Primary & Middle School as the first fistball demonstration schools in China.
The Teacher Sharing Center of Sichuan Tianfu New Area is now an accredited Fistball Promotion Center in Chengdu. IFA Head of Events Sönke Spille and Xinmin Yan took the opportunity to hold the first guided training session. In the future, the teachers will receive further training and Tianfu New Area in Chengdu will become the first fistball center in China.
“During our first visit in April, the organizers of the World Games 2025 established contact. It is impressive what enthusiasm we were able to spark back then and the commitment with which those responsible are promoting the sport of fistball,” says Sönke Spille, IFA Head of Events: ”A big thank you goes to the LOC for their support as well as Sichuan Tianfu New Area YuanYin Primary & Middle School and The Teacher Sharing Center of Sichuan Tianfu New Area for their work. We are convinced that they will raise the sport of fistball to a grandiose level.”
A detailed report on the 2nd Competition Manager Meeting and the training session will be published after the U18 and Women’s Fistball World Championships.
On October 1, TAFISA, in collaboration with FISU, hosted the INTERACT+ Sport for All Conference to present the innovative Label Dashboard to international and national sport federations. IFA is part of the INTERACT+ project since its beginning in 2020. The Label Dashboard will enable sport federations to measure and evaluate their Sport for All offerings through a Sport for All Certification, allowing them to create a roadmap towards continual improvement.
This event also served as a platform to showcase the INTERACT+ project’s goals, foster dialogue, and encourage collaboration among various stakeholders in the global sports community. IFA Secretary General Christoph Oberlehner was also one of the panelists and discussed about the importance of the INTERACT+ project and how to establish Sport for all activities in international federations. The conference featured a round table discussion moderated by Patrik Perosa from the International Dance Organization with several panelists from different sport organizations.
The conversation delved into the foundational frameworks guiding each federation’s Sport for All initiatives, examining how these theoretical principles are translated into actionable programs and initiatives. Panellists shared insights into the key challenges they face in promoting inclusive participation, while discussing practical steps federations are taking to implement these strategies. They also addressed common obstacles in advancing widespread sports participation and explored how the INTERACT+ project could support federations in overcoming these barriers and achieving their goals.
Capacity Building Workshop
Following the conference, attendees participated in a capacity building workshop designed to provide practical tools and guidance. Held over two days, this workshop empowered representatives from international and national sport federations to align their existing activities with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and TAFISA’s Mission 2030 Themes. Participants worked on creating policy changes within their organizations, linking research findings from the INTERACT+ project to their strategies, and designing initiatives aimed at specific target groups. The workshop was facilitated by Jörg Benner from European Flying Disc Federation.
This was the fourth capacity building session of the INTERACT+ project, with at least two more trainings planned for the future. These sessions offer a valuable opportunity for federations to enhance their capacity for promoting inclusive and sustainable sport initiatives.
If your organisation is interested in hosting a similar capacity building session or would like more information, please reach out to us at info@tafisa.org.
INTERACT+ Partners Meeting
During our gathering in Lausanne, we also held a partners meeting for the INTERACT+ project. This meeting provided an opportunity to review updates on upcoming deliverables, plan the next steps for the Label Dashboard, and ensure the ongoing sustainability of the project. Additionally, we discussed future dates for partners meetings and upcoming capacity building trainings, outlining our roadmap for continued collaboration.
The INTERACT+ Sport for All Conference, capacity building workshop, and partners meeting in Lausanne marked a significant step forward in advancing global collaboration toward inclusive and sustainable sport initiatives. By bringing together experts, representatives, and key stakeholders from international and national sport federations, we fostered meaningful dialogue, shared innovative strategies, and strengthened our collective commitment to promoting Sport for All. As we look ahead, the momentum gained from these events will continue to drive the INTERACT+ project’s mission to support federations in creating impactful programs and initiatives. We are excited for the future and look forward to the next phases of our shared journey.
The IFA Youth Commission invites all interested participants, coaches and athletes to the 6th IFA Youth Congress 2024 (on-site event only) on Tuesday, 29th October 2024, 6:00 p.m. at Club Gimnástico Alemán de Llanquihue.
Please register for participation in the youth congress by 25 October at: REGISTRATION TO THE CONGRESS
You find all details and the agenda below (or download here: DOWNLOAD AGENDA)
Election of U18 Athlete Representatives
Together with this invitation I’ll send an information regarding election of Youth representatives in the IFA Youth Commission and Athletes’ Commission. We are still accepting nominations for the election of the IFA youth representative.
Please submit your nominations for the Youth Athlete Representative by October 25 using this online form: SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION
The election will be done online during the U18 World Championships.
We are looking forward meeting you at the Youth Congress and the U18 World Championships in Llanquihue. If you have any questions feel free to get in touch with me.
Change at the head of the Fistball Youth Commission. After many years as Chairman of the Youth Commission, Uwe Schneider recently passed the baton on to Emma Dallinger. The 21-year-old from Austria has played for her home club ASKÖ Laakirchen Papier since childhood and took part in the 2021 U18 World Championships. In the future, she wants to play an active role in the work of international fistball. In this interview, she talks about her new role as Chair of the IFA Youth Commission, her goals and wishes. She also reveals what awaits participants at the Youth Congress in Chile and why the election of youth representatives is so important.
Emma, how did you get into fistball? And what highlights have you already experienced in the sport?
Emma Dallinger: It was somehow clear to me from an early age that I wanted to play fistball. My dad plays, my sister played, so it wasn’t even a question for me, it was just a matter of waiting until I could finally go to youth training. I’ve been playing at my home club, ASKÖ Laakirchen Papier, since the start of my fistball career and I’m incredibly grateful for all the wonderful fistball moments I’ve had the chance to experience. The Austrian indoor championship title in 2018 and the U18 runner-up world championship title in 2021 are at the top of the list. The best thing is simply being on the court with my girls and being able to experience such emotions together, whether you win or lose.
You traveled to New Zealand in 2022, where you also did fistball development work and supported the men’s national team at the 2023 World Championships in Germany. How did you experience your time with New Zealand fistball?
Emma Dallinger: The three and a half months I spent in New Zealand were incredibly special for me. By coaching the New Zealand men’s team, I was able to gain an insight into the small fistball world of New Zealand. Fistball there thrives on team spirit and the commitment of a few people who have fallen in love with the sport. On the one hand, it’s wonderful to see, but on the other, you also realize how difficult and time-consuming it is to establish fundamental and functioning structures for a sport.
In future, you will be looking after the interests of youth fistball in the International Fistball Association. What appeals to you about this task?
Emma Dallinger: I was able to enjoy years of great youth training in my club myself and have now been working as a coach in the youth sector for several years, as I simply want to give something back and I also enjoy working in the youth sector incredibly much. I believe that youth is one of the most important areas in fistball, especially when it comes to sustainability, which is why working on the youth commission is super exciting for me.
Do you already have ideas and plans that you would like to implement? What will be important to you in your work?
Emma Dallinger: It’s still a bit difficult to talk about very specific plans at the beginning – but there are already some ideas. The focus will definitely be on working out and developing concepts for sustainable youth work. In doing so, I would like to focus above all on the exchange between nations and with the Youth Commission. In addition, international youth work is particularly important to me, as I have also seen in New Zealand that too little often happens here to create a sustainable foundation for the sport in these “smaller fistball nations”. This in turn goes hand in hand with the work of the IFA Fistball Academy, which certainly makes exciting projects possible here.
Brazil vs. Austria – Game 48 – Semi-Final – IFA 2021 Fistball U18 Women’s World Championship – Grieskirchen, Austria – Photo: Valentin Weber
The U18 World Championships will soon be taking place in Chile. What does this international event mean for young fistball players?
Emma Dallinger: I think the Youth World Championships are the highlight of the fistball year for every player. For many, it’s the first time they get a taste of international fistball and get to play in the national jersey. For me, too, it was a very special feeling at every game. These are moments that stay with you forever.
There will also be a youth congress in Chile. What is planned here?
Emma Dallinger: The youth congress will take place on October 29 before the start of the World Championships. I would like to use this to introduce myself and the planned work of the Youth Commission and the Academy and to talk to the participants for the first time. Not only should it become clear what we as the Youth Commission are committed to and what our goals are, it is at least as important for me to find out in which areas the nations need support and how they can best get it. In addition to topics that specifically concern the Youth Commission and its projects, the Youth Congress should also create sufficient space for constructive exchange.
Youth representatives are also to be elected again to be actively involved in the work of the Youth Commission. Why should young fistball players register for this? What tasks await them?
Emma Dallinger: Exactly. In Chile, as in Grieskirchen in 2021, there will be another election for youth representatives in fistball. For me, this election is a very important part of the Youth World Championship, because what would a youth commission be without its own youth representatives who can represent young players and stand up for their needs? I think it’s a great opportunity for the elected representatives to be directly involved in upcoming projects and influence their development. In addition, they should also be the mouthpiece between the fistball youth themselves and the youth commission in a way, as they are sitting right at the source and have a closer connection to the problems and challenges of the youth players.
You will also be following the U18 World Championships live in Chile. What are you looking forward to?
Emma Dallinger: I’m looking forward to the Youth World Championship in Chile with great anticipation. Of course I’m looking forward to lots of exciting matches – but I think it will be particularly nice to see so many young fistball enthusiasts come together at a big event. I’m most looking forward to seeing international friendships being forged and teams celebrating success!
IFA President Jörn Verleger virtually attended the UN Sports for Climate Action Annual General Meeting in London yesterday.
In 2018 the Sports for Climate Action Framework was launched with two main objectives: to provide a clear path for the global sports community to combat climate change and to use sports as a tool to create awareness and drive action among global citizens.
IFA is part of the network since 2020 an.
The excitement for the 2024 Women’s Fistball World Championship in Montecarlo, Argentina, is growing: The official match schedule has now been announced, which will determine the best women’s fistball team in the world from November 7-10. A total of 11 nations will take part in the world title matches at the Club Guatambú sports venue.
The preliminary round groups have been drawn up over the past few weeks: In Group Gold, the top teams from previous years will face each other directly. In addition to defending champions Germany, this also includes Switzerland, Brazil and Austria. The Silver Group includes the two South American nations Argentina and Chile as well as New Zealand and Australia from Oceania. The field of participants is completed by Namibia, the USA and Colombia in Group Bronze. “We are expecting even more matches at eye level from the division of these groups and are convinced that this will further increase the number of exciting matches,” says Gastão Englert, Chairman of the Sports Commission of the International Fistball Association.
After the preliminary round, the Silver and Bronze groups will determine the participants for the quarter-finals in an intermediate round. “Every team has the chance to win the world championship title,” says Englert. The semi-finals are scheduled for Saturday, November 9. The final will take place on Sunday, November 10, at 4.45 pm. Denmark and India had also confirmed their participation beforehand but had to cancel their participation. Instead, Colombia moved up into the starting field.
Club Guatambú is hosting a Fistball World Championship for the first time. “It is a great honor for us that the best female fistball players in the world will be our guests in Guatambú in November 2024,” says Laura Laumann, Secretary of the Fistball Committee at Club Guatambú: ”For our club, it will be the biggest event in history so far. We are both proud and motivated to give everyone a great World Championship.” In the past, the club has already distinguished itself as the host of the Argentinian Championships, the Men’s & Women’s South American Championship 2017 and the FA 2009 Fistball Masters World Cup.
For women’s fistball, it is a return to the place of origin. In October 1994 – the first Women’s Fistball World Championship took place in Buenos Aires. Now, 30 years later, the best women’s fistball teams are returning to Argentina. With the then title holders Germany, Austria, Brazil, Switzerland, Argentina and Chile, six nations that also competed at the premiere will be taking part in 2024. “It’s great that the Women’s World Championship is returning to Argentina for its tenth edition,” says Jörn Verleger, President of the International Fistball Association: ”We are convinced that we will experience a great event in Montecarlo.”
Tickets will be available at the box office on the Club Guatambú grounds during the four days of the event, and there will also be a live stream of the matches. In addition, the 2024 Women’s Fistball World Championship will also serve as a qualifying competition for the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China.
Get active during the European Week of Sport from September 23 to 30.
In 2024, the focus will be on the values of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
Inclusion: sport is for everybody!
Sport is not just for athletes.
You can take part regardless of your fitness level or background. Sport is inclusive and does not discriminate. No matter your gender, age, abilities, religion, ethnicity, education, or sexual orientation: sport is for everyone!
Well-being: a step toward happiness
Sport boosts self-esteem and promotes better health.
Physical activity helps personal improvement and enhances overall well-being. When you play sports, you look good and feel good!
The best U18 fistball national teams in the world are returning to Llanquihue: around 18 years after the last U18 Fistball World Championship, the world championships for young fistball players will once again be held in southern Chile. 9 teams in the male U18 and 6 teams in the female U18 will take part in the World Championship.
Fistball has played an important role in the Chilean club Gimnástico Alemán Llanquihue since it was founded 70 years ago. Fistball has a long tradition in this small town of just under 20,000 inhabitants in the south of the country, and the club has produced numerous national players who have represented Chile at international events. The club has also played host to South American Championships, World Senior Games and even an U18 World Championship. “The 2nd World Championships for Men’s U18 and 1st World Championships for Women’s U18 were held from January 4 to 6, 2006,” says Jörn Verleger, President of the International Fistball Association (IFA): “It was a great fistball festival. We are convinced that we will also have a great Fistball World Championship in 2024.”
From October 31 to November 3, the club area of the Club Gimnástico Alemán Llanquihue, which is located directly on Lake Llanquihue with a view of the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes and is considered one of the most beautiful fistball grounds in the world, will once again host the best U18 national teams.
The participating teams in Chile
A total of 15 teams – 9 in the men’s U18 and 6 in the women’s U18 – will be competing for the title in Llanquihue. In the U18 men’s competition, defending champion Germany will be up against strong international competitors. From Europe, European champions Austria, Switzerland and Denmark will be competing at the World Championships, while the teams from South American champions Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Namibia (Africa) and India (Asia) will be joining them from America. In the women’s U18 competition, defending champion Germany will be joined by Austria, Switzerland (all Europe), Brazil, Chile and Argentina (America).
The format is almost identical in both competitions. The national teams will first play matches against every other nation in a preliminary round group before moving on to the other rounds. “We want to give young fistball players the opportunity to play a match against every nation. Especially at a young age, we think it is important that as many games as possible take place,” explains Gastao Englert, Chairman of the IFA Sports Commission: “We are looking forward to many exciting matches.”
Organizers are planning a big event
In addition to the matches in the preliminary round and the final round, the club’s organizers would like to hold a big party on the club grounds. “Hosting the U18 World Championship is a great honour for the club,” says Rodrigo Böttger, who is part of the World Championship organizing team. Preparations have been underway since the award in autumn 2023 and the venue has been modernized in recent months. “We will do everything we can to make the delegations feel at home here,” announces Böttger.
The club is planning a big party on the final weekend, which should not only attract fistball fans to the venue. The organizers are expecting a large crowd for the placement matches – including the medal matches on Sunday. There will be a ticket office with cheap ticket prices on all days. The club is supported in the organization by regional and local politicians as well as companies in the city. Böttger: “We are looking forward to a great Fistball World Championship here in Llanquihue.”
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has announced in the presence of IFA President Jörn Verleger 17 new members for its Sports for Nature Framework during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. IFA signed the commitment as one of 24 International Federations already at the IF Forum in Lausanne in November 2023.
During the event, Samuel Ducroquet, Ambassador for Sport, Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, France, explained that there were four key motivations for Paris 2024: leading by example, offering a strong voice for change, creating a new model for major events, and making the practice of sport more responsible and respectable.
Additionally, Marie Sallois, Corporate and Sustainable Development Director for the International Olympic Committee, said there was no other sector that could inspire like sport could, and that this platform should be used to educate around sustainability and responsibility.
This responsibility has been demonstrated by the Paris 2024 organising committee, which committed to reducing carbon emissions, limiting the construction of new venues, lowering plastic waste and more. The organisers also looked to incorporate eco-construction where possible, enhance biodiversity, offer plant-based food and locally sourced products, utilise public transport, create a circular economy, champion inclusivity and, of course, clean up the River Seine to be used for events.
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